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Two key streets in downtown Northville reopened, impacting city's social district

While you were sleeping, two key streets in downtown Northville re-opened for the first time since the pandemic.

Watch Brittany's full report in the video player below Two key streets in downtown Northville re-open for first time since pandemic

Main and Center Streets were initially closed to make way for a social district two years ago. But a judge ruled that those streets must lower the retractable bollards and allow traffic. The deadline came at midnight.

This community has been really divided over these street closures for the last two years.

Main Street is now open to drivers, and businesses on Center Street are moving their patio space off the street, onto the sidewalk.

This social space is shut down thanks for a non-profit, Open Up Northville, and a Wayne County judge siding with their stance, saying the closure violated both City Charter and state law.

"She found that they didn't follow the state procedures, specifically the condemnation act, and the land division act, procedures you would need to follow as a city if this was something that you were going to do," said Joseph Corriveau, an attorney with Let's Open Northville.

"They'll have much freer access. They'll have much more available parking. They'll be less congestion," said Dennis Engerer, the owner of Northville Physical Rehabilitation.

The non-profit is made up of area businesses and property managers. The group filed a lawsuit in 2023 against the city for closing Main and Center Streets. THey first closed during the Pandemic, making way for social distancing. The last two years, these streets were closed seasonally (April-November), allowing businesses and residents free reign to the streets.

Businesses who put money into outdoor spaces were hoping they'd get to use the street the rest of the season, but the judge ordered the streets open today at midnight (Tuesday, July 15). The city is now working with those businesses to quickly comply and transition to Platform Dining within parking space.

"We have a kit of parts that we'll implement in the meantime, to comply with this quick turnaround to open for vehicular traffic but we're really undaunted by the challenge of accommodating for our downtown business," said Kate Knight, the Executive Director of the Downtown Northville Development Authority.

"I had hoped that we would be able to just continue this until the end of the season because it's difficult for the businesses particularly the restaurants because they've got their tables out front everything is set," said Margene Buckhave, the owner of Stampeddler.

The city's representative said the 45+ events planned for this space will go on as scheduled, and this street can still close for those fests, parades, and special events. Now, we wait to see if the city will file an appeal to the lawsuit.

Watch our previous coverage Judge orders Northville to reopen downtown streets within days Northville's social district returns for the season as businesses and residents remain divided Full interview: Northville mayor talks about activities in city as social district reopens Where Your Voice Matters

1 shot, 2 injured by shrapnel after shooting at liquor store on Detroit's east side

Police say that one person was shot and three people were injured in total after a shooting at a liquor store on Detroit's east side.

Watch Brittany's live reports from the morning shows 6 am report: 1 shot, 2 injured by shrapnel after shooting at liquor store on Detroit's east side 1 shot, 2 injured by shrapnel after shooting at liquor store on Detroit's east side

The shots fired call came in around 2 a.m., for a liquor store at Maynard and East Warren.

Lawrence Purifoy, the commander of DPD 5th Precinct, tells us that one person was shot, and is in serious condition. Two people suffered non life-threatening injuries after being hit by shrapnel while trying to get away from the shooting.

"I was about to go out try and see if I can still catch some food. Next thing I know I heard shots," said Marcus Hunter, who was on his way to the liquor store when he heard shots. "So I duck down, lay to the floor, I rolled over and everything. I was scared Im not going to lie. I was petrified I was scared for my life, stray bullets dont have names."

Authorities say those three people, all men, were outside when a dark car drove up and shots were fired.

Police told us this was not an attempted robbery of the liquor store, and investigators are looking for a dark-colored vehicle that was seen leaving the scene.

Warren Avenue was shut down for the investigation, but is expected to be re-opened shortly.

2 arrested, 1 hospitalized in crash after Warren police chase

A chase involving Warren police ended with a car wedged into an alley on Detroit's east side and one person rushed to the hospital.

Watch the live report from our 6 a.m. show Two arrested, one hospitalized in crash after Warren police chase

We're told the chase began around 1 a.m. at 8 Mile and Macarther in Warren, and lasted several miles before ending at 7 Mile and Rex Avenue.

We got to the scene moments after the crash, and saw Detroit residents yelling at Warren Police just after 2 a.m.

Two people were taken into custody and one was taken to the hospital, but it's not clear if it's from crash-related injuries.

The pursuit started about five miles away. Warren PD says the driver of a sedan didn't pull over when officers attempted to make a traffic stop for speeding, fleeing into Detroit, where the chase ended.

Police tell us that tire-deflation devices were deployed at 8 Mile and Schoenherr, before the driver crashed into an alley.

The driver and a female passenger were arrested after trying to flee on foot. A male passenger sustained critical injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital, according to authorities.

Police found suspected narcotics inside the vehicle. Warren's Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit is investigating the incident, and plan to submit their findings to the Macomb County Prosecutor's office.

'All parking lot and dumpsters': Neighbors pushing back on construction of Rochester Hills apartment complex

One parcel of land in Rochester Hills could soon be replaced by an apartment complex. Residents living around here say they're planning to bring a list of concerns to Rochester Hills Planning Commission to stop the development from going in to protect the wetlands in the area.

They say adding 32 apartment units will double the amount of people living on this block.

Watch Brittany's full story in the video player below Neighbors pushing pack on construction of Rochester Hills apartment complex

"Were on a little street, little neighborhood, quiet neighborhood and theyre wanting to put 32 units into this small parcel," said Lisa Cummings.

Cummings and her neighbors, a small number of residents, were invited to a Rochester Hills Planning Commission Meeting happening tonight, discussing the future of the parcel of land in the photo below bordering Orion Road.

"The whole are behind the parcel theyre looking at is wetland marsh. We have a lot of wildlife in this little area," Cummings said.

Protecting these wetlands and the wildlife calling them home: one big reason residents don't want the proposed 32-unit apartment complex built.

Lisa's neighbors, Betty and Richard, showed us what they plan on telling the city's planning commission members.

"This is going to be all parking lot and dumpsters," Lisa said.

"The tree right next to the that telephone pole right there. Thats where the dumpsters are going to be. Thats, what, 50ft from our deck?" Richard said.

Flooding from filling in the wetlands is also a major concern for people living on both sides of the parcel.

Connor and Sandra, on the other side of the proposed complex, say the people in the 32 units will be using their block to park.

"Ive written letters about traffic concerns. Ive written letters about water management," Connor Pytlowany said.

"Its just going to add a lot ore residents to this street and were concerned about where the driveway is going to be located to get into the complex," Sandra Smale said.

We did reach out to Rochester HIlls Planning Commission, but they were not able to get back to us in time for this story to air. The planning commission meeting is tonight at 7 p.m.

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